Northern California drought prompts Calfire to increase staffing

With unseasonably high temperatures, limited rainfall and moisture levels resembling the state's peak fire season, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Calfire, announced Tuesday that it has hired 125 supplemental firefighters in Northern California and extended seasonal firefighting forces in Southern California due to dry winter conditions.

In Tehama County, 12 firefighters have been added to the Tehama-Glenn unit.

The announcement follows Gov. Jerry Brown's drought State of Emergency earlier this month.

"In order to maintain a sufficient depth of resources to address the prolonged, elevated threat of wildfire due to drought, we have staffed 25 additional fire engines and have retained aerial firefighting assets at five air attack bases that would normally be closed this time of year," said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Calfire. "We have a well exercised mechanism for addressing short term elevations in the threat of wildfire, but these prolonged conditions warrant an even more aggressive action in order for us to be prepared to protect the people, property and natural resources of California."

In Northern California, Calfire is adding two additional fire engines in each of the 12 northern administrative units plus a third fire engine in the Shasta-Trinity Unit. In addition, the Chico Air Attack Base has been re-opened with two fixed wing aircraft.

The Governor's drought State of Emergency directed Calfire to "hire additional seasonal firefighters to suppress wildfires and take other needed actions to protect public safety during this time of elevated fire risk." The increased staffing levels follow a series of actions from the administration to ensure that California is prepared for record dry conditions.

Earlier this week, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture released the California Water Action Plan, which will guide state efforts to enhance water supply reliability, restore damaged and destroyed ecosystems and improve the resilience of our infrastructure.

Brown has called on all Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent and last week, the Save Our Water campaign announced four new public service announcements that encourage residents to conserve. Last December, the Governor formed a Drought Task Force to review expected water allocations and California's preparedness for water scarcity. In May 2013, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order to direct state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water and water rights.

Calfire is asking everyone to be extra cautious during the heightened fire danger period in order to prevent wildfires. One less spark means one less wildfire. For more fire prevention tips visit www.PreventWildfireCA.org and for evacuation tips visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.